July LOVE Letter

As I write, I hear the sweet sound of birds chirping, loving and laughter filled conversations, the blue sky peeking out from behind puffy, summer clouds, the air percolating with care, kindness, and yoga. I’m wrapping up my yearly summer yoga retreat/getaway to Feathered Pipe Ranch. It’s been a full week of long, easeful yoga and nature-filled days, beautiful vegetarian meals prepared with the utmost care and love, incredible spiritual community–or sangha– and an honest coming together into the spiritual heart of yoga alongside the best community of open and willing souls.

While I was sitting with one of the elders here the other day, he was talking about being in India in the 70s and meeting many different renowned gurus there over his decade spent hitchhiking there. Another student was asking a lot of questions, many about the messages and allure of certain gurus. When asked what the main message of one of the gurus was, the elder shared that it was always to be of loving service to others. The messages among all the gurus were very similar and simple:

BE GOOD. 

SEE GOOD. 

DO GOOD.

When we commit to yoga, to sadhana, to staying in the fire, looking honestly at ourselves, and being of service when possible– then it becomes much easier to BE GOOD, SEE GOOD, and DO GOOD. As human beings it is far too easy to slip into deeply engrained ways of discontent, fear, hatred, anger, judgment, old patterns, old unquestioned beliefs etc. It is in committing to practice at the beginning of each new day that we give ourselves a fighting chance to be good humans, to access joy and abundance, to radiate with gratitude, and to find the good, or at least the possibility for goodness, in all situations and relationships. This, of course, takes considerable EFFORT.

It takes an effort of continually returning to truth, love, courage, keeping the body and mind clear, being a vessel of service, etc. These things take dedication and work. And the fruits are that when we take care of ourselves, we can be clear with others. We can be a beacon of strength and love and equanimity for ourselves and others.

So, this month, the invitation is to commit to practice. Roll out your mat everyday. Polish the mirror. Look inside. Go a little deeper and study some philosophy. Be willing and open to surrender your grasping– to say I was wrong, I’m sorry, I will try a different response next time. Recommit each day to being GOOD- Today, I will commit to ahimsa, nonharming. Today, I will commit to courage and ease with myself and others today. Today I will commit to ______.

May we all carry this forward this week and into the heat of summer. Be good, see good, do good and take honest care of yourselves, because in that, you are strong and can be a beacon in our community.  

Love, 

Holly 

---